Bud Norris who was scheduled to pitch Friday in Toronto has been scratched for the series with right elbow soreness. He will skip a full turn and hopes to pitch again in Boston. Jason Hammel will take his place Friday at Rogers Centre.

Norris said the discomfort is more of a "fatigue and tightness kind of thing" and with a little rest should be fine.

“I’ve been battling it for a couple starts. It’s this time of year" Norris said. "I definitely didn’t want to miss any time but I figure it’ll just be this one and go from there. Definitely give it some time to kind of heal. It’s about pitching in October and through it. I’m kinda bummed about it but like I said I gotta let it heal and get back out there when I’m ready to go.”

Norris is 4-2 with a 4.12 ERA in nine games (eight starts) with the Orioles since being acquired from Houston on July 31. He has never faced the Blue Jays.

Hammel who hasn’t started since July 28 because of a strained right forearm will get the start Friday. Hammel who is 7-8 with a 5.11 ERA this season has been pitching out of the bullpen since his return from the disabled list this month. He is 4-2 with a 4.52 ERA in 13 games against Toronto in his career and 1-1 with a 5.79 ERA in five games at the Rogers Centre.

"Obviously I didn’t want to go on the DL and it was a bummer as long as it lasted but I worked hard to get healthy and we are down to the crunch time and I knew it is going to be a big game" Hammel said. "They’re all big games from here on out. My preparation will help for Friday and when that day comes I’ll be ready."